Writing implement



H. c. KLAGGEs WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed March 1S, 194s 'Hel-1r E. Klgges,

Dec. l1, 1945.

t vPatented Dec. ll, 1945 WRITING IMPLEMENT Application March 16, 1943,Serial Niall-79,305

15 Claims.

My invention relates to writing implements 'of the type more famlliarlyknown as fountain pens.

0ne object of my invention is to reduce the amount of metal employed inthe construction ,of the writing point element.

A further object of my invention is to employ a feed-bar as apart of thepen assembly and to associate with such feed-bar a small metabwrit'-Aing tip member or point mounted or supported with 'respect to theforward end of theV same'.

A further object of my invention is to wholly enclose the feed-bar in aIsheath which may form a continuation of atubular element of a characterheretofore employed, withv a pen point, as a unit insert for fountainpens, so that the com# plete structure constituting my presentimprovements may be applied to the barrel of a fountain pen in a mannerexactly like the application of said unit inserts. t

A further object of my invention is to so mount the writing point withrespect to the end of the feed-bar-loosely or permanently secured inplacesthat when the feed-bar and writing point are associated with theenclosing sheath. the writing point will be ilrmly heldin such manner asto permit its nib portion to freely iiex when in the actof writing. t

A further oblect of my invention is to employ a writing point in theform of a blfurcated metal member providing separate nibportions and soassociated with the feed-bar and sheath as to properly nex in the act ofwriting. i

A further object of my invention is to provide a form of writing tip orpoint of metal of chan` nel shape arranged to lie in a groove at theforward end of the feed-bar after assembly with the sheath, and to bepermanently attached to the latter in a manner that will align itschannel with the capillary passage of the feed-bar.

A further obiect of my invention is to provide a, form of writing tiporpoint made of a doubled wire, half-round in cross section, and having alooped end iltting over the reduced end-oi a feedbar, with the spacebetween the substantially parallel ngers which constitute the nibs andwhich space may be tapered, in line` with the capillary passage of thefeed-bar. v

A further object of my invention is to provide the sheath enclosing thefeed-bar with an air vent communicating with the capillary passage ofthe feed-bar.

Anda still further object of my invention is to employ material of athermosetting or` thermoplastic type for the feed-,bar and the enclosingsheath whereby the writing point of metal may (ci. isos-sz) iii bepermanently sec ed to one of said elements by a heat treatment'.

These and `other features Aof my invention are more fully set forthhereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawing, more orless diagrammatic in character, in which:

Figures is a side elevation, partly in section.

of an improved writing implement within the scope of my inventiomsuchview showing the tubular sheath enclosing the feed-bar with which thewriting point is associated audits relation with the barrel of afoimtain pen.

Figs. l* and lb are cross sectional views` on` the lines a-a and b-b,respectively, Fig. 1, on a t larger scale. l a

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale oi'x thetubularsheath-forming' part of my improved writing implement and illustratinganother form of writing point which'may be employed there- Figs. 3, 4, 5and 6 are cross sectional views on the lines .m-nL Iv1v, v-v `ausvI--v1, Fig. 2. respectively. -v

Fig. 7 is a plan view, and Pig'. 8 isa side elevation, partly insection, of the form ofi-writing pointshown in Fig. 1; both views beingon a slightly larger scale. f l I Fig. 9 is a perspective view oftheform of writing point shown in Figs.' 'I and 8.

rig. 1o is s plan view of s blank, and mg. 11" is across-sectional viewof a writing point made from the same of the type illustrated in Fig.2.Y

Fig. 12 is4 a perspective" view ofA anotheriorm of writing point made ofmetal .wire within the scope of my invention.

Fig. 12* is a cross sectional view on' the line Fig'. 12.

Fig. 131s s pian v1ew,and Fig. 14 is s side eievation, partly insection.` of another form of metal writing point within the scope of myinvention.

Fig. 15 is aplan view, and'Fig. 16 is aside elevation, of still anotherform of metal writing point within the scope of my invention.

Referring tothe drawing, andmore particularly to Fig.- 1, my improvedwriting implement comprises a feed-bar i0: a writing point Il associatedwith the forward end of the'same, and an enclosing sheath i2: the latterhaving an opening through which the writing point projects. Asillustrated, the structure follows what may be termed a streamlinedtaper. although it will be understood that the sheath may have parallelwalls throughout its extent with a suitably tass peres ens and that thefeed-bar may be similarly When these feed-bars are employed as part ofunit elements or inserts, such asset forth in my patent referred to.they are received into tubular shells or thimbles which are usuallythreadedly engaged with the end of a fountain pen barrel. In the presentinstance I make use of this shell or thimble construction and the sheathI2 which encloses the feed-bar is a continuation of such shell orthimble, which is indicated at I3, and has a threaded portion I3 forengagement with the end of the fountain pen barrel A.

'I'he writing point shown in Fig. 1 is in the form of a bifurcatedmember of lmetal wire, and may be of the type illustrated in Figs. 7, 8and 9. This form of my improved writing point comprises a section ofhalf-round metal wire of a character suitable for writing purposes. andmay be of gold, silver, stainless steel, or any other available metal,semi-precious or otherwise. In addition, it may be tipped with aniridium point in a manner substantially like the tipping of gold andother pen points with iridium or other wear-resisting metal. As shown inFigs. '7, 8 and 9, this half-round wire is bent to form a. pair of ngerssubstantially in parallel relation, indicated at Ila and functioning asnibs; such fingers by preference being slightly separated by a spaceIIb, tapering from the point toward the rear end of the same. Such rearend. which includes the loop IIc of the doubled wire, is bentsubstantially at a right angle V as indicated at I0 to provide the usualcapillary passage and vent for ink and air, also longitudinally groovedon its underside as indicated at IIib, and its body provided withsemi-annular grooves Illc communicating with the groove IB". The forwardend of the feed-bar is deeply grooved at ltd, in line with the grooveIll* forming the capillary passage, and the writing point II is receivedin this groove IIld, as clearly illustrated in Fig. i; the space IIbbetween the finger nibs at the rear end of the same being aligned withthe forward portion of the groove IIIs which has an extension III'mdisposed beneath the writing point. A recess or socket I0 is formed inthe feed-bar at the junction between the capillary passages I0* and I0,and the depending portion ild of the writing point is fitted into thesame. Such inserted end may be cemented in place or, as the feed-bar isusually made of some `form of thermosetting or thermoplastic body, thewriting point" may be firmly secured thereto by a heat treatment of thesame.

The end of the feed-.bar is preferably of tapered form as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2, and it is snugly enclosed by the sheath I2 comprising theextended portion of the shell or thimble I3 fitting the end of the penbarrel A; such shell being detachably mounted with respect to the penbarrell as-the unit inserts before referred to. The

lsheath extension I2 is tapered to nicely and snugly fit over thetapered end -of the feed-bar, as indicated at |21', and it is providedvwith an open end I2 through which the writing point extends. A smallreservoir or chamber is provided at the forward end of the sheath forthe collection of ink in additionA to the reservoir formed by thesemi-annular grooves I0 ot the feed-bar and the longitudinalcommunicating groove l0 on the under side of the same.

In order that the fingers which constitute the nibs of the writing pointshown in Fig. 1 (or writing points of the type shown in Figs. 12-16)may,

be separated during iiexure thereof in the act of writing, the inner andupperwall of the sheath I2 at the open end of the same may be providedwith a wedge-shaped projection I4, longitudinally thereof, whichoverlies said fingers or nibs and' is in nominal contact therewith inline with the space between the salme, as indicated in Fig. 1. Whenvpressure is applied to the writing point in the operation of writing,the forward end of the same rises slightly with respect to the sheathand upon the fingers contacting with the beveled faces of thewedge-shaped projection I4, they are spread sufficiently to insure theflow of ink to the paper-contacting end of the writing point wherebywriting of any character may be eected including shaded strokes desired'by many penmen.

The construction of my improved writing implement illustrated in Fig. 2is similar in most respects to that shown in Fig. 1, except that theform of writing point shown in Fig. 2 may be developed from a blank ofthe type shown in Fig. 10, comprising a strip I5 of suitable metalhaving a pair of rounded projections I5'L in spaced relation at theforward end of the same; a'slot Il"` lconstituting a pierce hole, and anarrow projection or tab I5c at the opposite end. This strip of metal isbent into channel shape, as shown in Fig. 11; preferably with a roundedupper surface, and the rounded projections I5 are brought into meetingrelation and constitute the paper-engaging portion of such writingpoint. The metal between the pierce hole and the writing tip may be slitor not, as may be desired. The narrow projectionv or tab I5 at the rearend of the strip is bent upwardly away from the writing point shank andis connected to the sheath I2 in such fmanner that the writingpointmember will lie in the longitudinal axis of the same and occupy thegroove IIlt at the forward end of the feed-bar.

` and the opening for the passage of such projecting tab may besubsequently 'sealed in any suitable manner to insure proper anchorageandnn mounting. The central space longitudinally of the channel-shapedwriting point illustrated in Figs. 2 and 11 is in alignment with thegroove I0* forming the capillary passage of the feed-bar.

In the form of writing point `illustrated in Fig. 12, made of half-roundmetal wire. the looped end of the same is shown as developed in the formof a ring, indicated at Il, and this ring may be slipped over thereduced end of a feed-bar I8 and rest against a shoulder I8*l of thesame. I'he writing point may be similar in all other respects to theform of writing point illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and it will liein a groove I 8b formed at the end of the feed-bar in the same manner asfthe writing point illustrated in Fig. l, with the be extended beneaththe nib portion of the writ-l ing point. as indicated at |84, Fig. 12.

v In Figs. 13 and 14 I have shown another form of writing point whichmay be formed from a strip of fiat metal I0, which is slotted or slit atIl* to form separate fingers 20", which function accessi as nibs:suchslot or slit being widened toward ger nibs will also align with thegroove forming Ithe capillary passage of a feed-bar. when mounted in thesame. d

In Figs. l and 16 I have also shown another form of writing point,indicated at 2|, made of half-round metal wire, which is shaped or bentto provide the desired tapered space between the fingers 2|'l whichfunction as nibs; such space being indicated at 2lb. In thisconstruction, the

looped portion 2|c is bent downwardly and then rearwardly substantiallyin a plane parallel with the main portion thereof; providing anextension 2|'i for engagement with a feed-bar and in such relationtherewith that the capillary space of the latter will be aligned withthe tapered space between the fingers. For this purpose the feed-bar maybe socketed to receive the end 2 ld.

. 'I'he several forms of writing points illustrated may receive at theirpaper-contacting ends pellets of iridium or other wear-resisting metal,welded thereto, and subsequently slit in accordance with well-.knownpractice. Such application is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7, whichmay be considered as illustrative of all forms of writing points shown.

In assembling my improved writing implement, a writing point, which maybe any of the types illustrated, is placed in the groove at the forwardend of the feed-bar and in such relation that a small portion of thewriting. point will extend beyond the sheath extension into which thefeed-bar with the writing point is entered.

`Such writing point may be anchored to the feedbar. in the mannerillustrated in Fig. l, with the upper portion substantially ush withthe'upper surface of the same andwlth the space between the fingers ofthe writing point which constitute the nibs aligned with the capillarypassage of the feed-bar for the proper flow of ink to thepaper-contacting portion of such writing point.` These writing pointsmay be permanently fixed to the feed-bar by cementing the same inplaceor, since the feed-bar will be usually of some form ofthermosetting or thermoplastic material. they may be confined thereto bya heat treatment. On the other hand. the writing point may be relativelyloose with respect to the feedbar, with a rear projecting portionengaging a seat in the feed-bar and being held thereto in the groovedend of the same and4 in proper position for writing purposes by thesheath i2 forming an extension of the shell or thimble i3 fitting theend of the pen barrel. v

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 2, the writing point is anchoredto the sheath; such form of writing point lying within the groove at theforward end of the feed-bar and projecting through the opening at theforward end of4 the sheath.

The shell or thimble Il with the sheath extensionfll. may be made of anysuitable form oi' plastic material: synthetic or otherwise. or it may bemade .of metal. without departing from my invention.

The feed-bar may be of hard rubber; usually employed for the purpose. orit may be made' of any suitable form of plastic material. synthetic orotherwise. While I prefer to employ a feed-bar of the type or characterillustrated in my patent before referred to, which will have- .thesemi-annular grooves as illustrated -in said patent to form a storagereservoir for ink and'a longitudinal groove on the underside of thefeedbar communicating Iwith said semi-annular grooves and leadingto thespace |24 within the sheath at the forward end of the feed-bar directlycommunicating with the under portion of `the writing pointany roi-m ofreed-ber which win provide a reservoir for excess inl:` is within thescope of my invention.

It will be understood of course that when a` tapered or streamlinedsheath is employed enclosing a similarly shaped feed-bar that 'thewriting point will be slightly curved longitudinally to follow thecurver of the feed-bar and sheath.

For the purpose of insuring access of air to theink reservoir within thepen barrel during a writing operation, the sheath is provided with asuitable aperture or vent, indicated at 25,'for the entrance of air asthe ink is displaced from said reservoir.

While I have showny and described with some.

` particularity the construction and operation of my improved writingimplement, it willbe understood that modifications may be made in thesame without departing from my invention; all of which is deemed to bewithin the scope of the appended claims. v

I claim: f

1. In a writing implement, the combination with thel barrel of afountain pen, of an openended tubular member in engagement with the endofthe same, a feed-bar snugly tlttingl within the tubular member andconforming throughout with the contour of the same, and a section ofmetal carried by the feed-bar and projecting through the end ofthetubular member in position to serve as a writing point.

2. In a writing implement, the combination with the barrel of a fountainpen. of a tubular member in engagement with the end of the same; saidmember having a tapered tubular extension integral therewith projectingbeyond the end of the barrel and having an open end, a feed-bar snuglyfitting within the tubular member; said feed-bar conforming throughoutwith the contour of the same and extending substantially to its outerend. and a section vof metal carried by the feed-bar and projectingthrough the end of the tubular extension in position to serve as awriting point.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the writing pointelement is loosely mounted in the end of the feed-bar and confinedbetween the end of the same and the tubular member.

s. A structure as set forth in i, wherein the writing point element isin the form of a bifurcated member comprisingiflexib'le fingers ofhalf-round wire with their fiat faces in juxtaposed relation andfunctioning as ibs withtheir rear ends integrally connected.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 1j, wherein the tubular member istapered and the feed-bar member.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein the tubular member isprovided internally with a projection at its outer end arranged tooverlie the blfurcated metal writing point longitudinally thereof and inposition to spread the fingers of the same when pressure is appliedthereto in the operation of writing.

l0. 'Ihe combination, of a feed-bar of plastic material, a metal writingpoint element of bifurcated form comprising half-round wires with theirdat faces in juxtaposed relation and providing a pair of flexible nngersconstituting' nibs anchored in the end of said feed-bar, and anopen-ended sheath enclosing `the feed-bar and 2.890.541 V i i o t thewriting point and confining the latter in position with respect to thefeed-bar. v

11. A structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein the feed-bar tapers atits'outer end and is enclosed in a complementally tapered sheath closelyntting the same. I

12. A structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein the writing point isin the'formof a metal vwire bent to form a pairv of ilexibleflngersconstituting nibs. with the bight of such wire bent angularly withrespect to said fingers and anchored in the feed-bar. v

13. A structure as set forth in claim 10, with a wedge-shaped projectioncarried by the sheath and overlying the bifurcated writing point ele-yment and serving to separate the nibs of the same when pressure isapplied in the operation of writing.

14. A writing point element for fountain pen structures comprising abifurcated member of half round metal wire having a pair of separatedfingers functioning as nibs; said nib portions having iiat faces in.juxtaposed relation and terminating in an integrally connectedprojecting portion for permanent association with a feed-bar support,

15. A writingpoint element for fountain pens,

comprising a section of metal wire half-round in cross section and bentto form a bifurcated mem? ber having a pair of fingers functioning asnibs; said nib portions having flat faces in juxtaposed relation andterminating in a connecting loop or bight bent angularly for permanentassociation A with a feed-bar support.

